Q+A: National’s Mark Osborne denied claims that he's too scared to debate his main rival Winston Peters in person.

National’s Mark Osborne denied claims that he's too scared to debate his main rival Winston Peters in person.

Speaking from Mangawhai Mr Osborne told TV One’s Q+A programme, “Oh, not at all. Not scared at all. Not one bit. We’re out here talking to voters in the electorate.”

Both the leading candidates of the Northland by-election were invited to a face to face debate in our studio however, Winston Peters was the only one to accept. He told the programme the North has been forgotten.

“I’ve got a track record for making things happen. The second thing is no one can better voice the years of neglect and forgetfulness that this electorate has suffered from,”

Winston Peters also indicated he would talk to National about its RMA reforms… but Mr Osborne said, “He’ll say anything a week out from the elections to get the votes. He’s not going to do that. He doesn’t care. You know, that’s the reality. This is a very very important by-election. He only cares about himself..”

Mr Osborne told the programme promised roading investments would go ahead even if he didn’t win the by-election.

“Absolutely, they will. The bridges? Absolutely. And they will because they’re a vital part of the infrastructure up here.”

Q+A, 9-10am Sundays on TV ONE and one hour later on TV ONE plus 1. Repeated Sunday evening at 11:35pm. Streamed live atwww.tvnz.co.nz

Thanks to the support from NZ On Air.

Q+A is on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/NZQandA#!/NZQandA and on Twitter, http://twitter.com/#!/NZQandA

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